Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town

by Broquard, Vic

  At last, as their leader, he requested a conference with the Archmage. “You have something on your mind, Zoran. Out with it, please,” she said softly. Now that he thought about it, she never ever had raised her voice! Somehow she could accept anything that happened in her own quiet manner. Amazing.

  “Oh, it’s these gaps in their check lists,” he said and began a lengthy explanation of what he had observed. “What does it mean? Ought we all go back and help them master the ones that they cannot seem to get the first time through?”

  She smiled her all knowing smile. Gosh, I wish she wouldn’t do that! He thought to himself. It rather unnerved him. He’d just made a startling discovery that she apparently already knew all about!

  “Remember what I said about intelligence and the ability to learn to cast magical spells? In case you have forgotten it,” she explained.

  He interrupted her; she was not going to get away with this one. “Yes, the more intelligent a Mage is, the better able he or she is to learn advanced spells.”

  “Precisely. You see, Jarka and Bernard have almost reached the end of the advanced spells that they have the potential to learn. Karel is also getting near that point, but he still has a little ways to go. I admit that I am a little surprised that Zdenka is still doing so well.” Zoran felt a sudden wave of pride in her, but again he didn’t know why that should be.

  “Now the twins, well they are dragons and have vastly different minds than ours. Yet, they both are highly intelligent and are picking up the advanced spells in the same way that they picked up the easier beginning ones. No surprise there. Aldrick was the same way. I made note of that in my treatise, if you will recall. I see that you are making good progress still.”

  “Well, yes, I seem to be getting most all of them. Why? Is that unusual?” he asked, wondering if he was somehow different.

  “I don’t know, Zoran, truly I do not. Perhaps it is because you are a Duska. I have never taught a Duska before. However, if that were all that was occurring, then why haven’t all the many other Duskas in the Federation done the same thing during their magic training. No, I do not have an answer for that one, Zoran. Perhaps one day you may find it for yourself. If you do, please let me know. Now you ought to get back to your studies.”

  The rest of the week did not go well for either Jarka or Bernard. Not one spell did they even get close to working right. At this point, the Archmage stepped in to talk with the frustrated team. “As you have seen, both Jarka and Bernard have reached the highest spells that they can master. This is no reflection on them as people or as Mages. All Mages have their limits. The wise know when they have reached it. However, this does not necessarily mark the end of their training. There are other things that you can attempt to learn that are vastly easier than these top level spells. I believe that you, Jarka, would be interested in learning how to make magical potions, many of which mimic similar spells.”

  “Yes, I’ve always wondered how magical potions are made. Is it possible to learn how to do it? I’m game if there is. I am really burned out on these terrifically complex spells!” she replied.

  Archmage Nadia smiled, “Yes, dear, you should find the making of potions fairly easy. We shall start you in on that line of research today, if you are ready.”

  “Absolutely!” her enthusiasm had returned. “I want to learn how to make healing potions! Now that would be a super skill to have!”

  “Bernard, you have always been keenly interested in history, am I right?”

  “Ancient history is more like it. I am fascinated about how our planet was settled and all that.”

  “Excellent, I suggest that we start you in on an in depth study on the complete history of Adapazan.” He was more than willing to do so at once.

  Karel glared, “I aim to keep on trying to master some more of these. I am not giving up yet, Archmage!”

  “No, please do not. Keep at it and see what more you can learn to cast. However, if later on you discover that you have reached your limit, please come see me. Now then, let’s get back to work. You two, come with me.” Eagerly, Jarka followed her, while Bernard shuffled behind her.

  Chapter 12 Kidnaped

  “Help! Everyone, Brother Jiri has gone missing!” a very distressed Priestess Anezka wailed, interrupting the five who were struggling with another spell. Startled, everyone instantly stopped and turned to look at her. Extreme distress caused tension lines all over her face, and she continually wrung her hands over each other, as if she could somehow make her husband reappear.

  “Relax, Anezka,” Zoran said attempting to mimic the soft tones which the Archmage always used. Whether or not he seemed like her, it did have some effect on her. She stopped fiddling with her hands and sat down.

  “Jiri ought to have been back an hour ago. I asked Marek to go and check on him. He’s vanished! No trace.”

  “Where was he supposed to be going? What was he doing?” he asked.

  “He said he needed some lead and charcoal. He promised he’d be back in just a few minutes. Marek said that he never arrived at the metal smith’s shop or at Zea’s Charcoal. Honestly, I think something terrible has happened to him. Please, you must help find him. So much is at stake,” she pleaded, though they all knew just how much they were depending upon Brother Jiri.

  Just then, Jarka and Bernard burst into the room. “I sent them a message,” Zdenka whispered to Zoran.

  “What’s this about Jiri vanishing?” Jarka asked. Zoran quickly explained.

  “First, let’s use our spells and see if we can find out what’s going on with him,” Zoran suggested. “We should use magic instead of running aimlessly around Brn. Let’s use See Through Another’s Eyes and Hear What Another Is Hearing. Clues, gang, look and listen for clues.” At once, the seven began casting their spells. Emil could cast the see version, but not the hear, while Renata was the other way around. The others could cast both. The See spell produced nothing but blackness, so Zoran assumed that Jiri must be blindfolded. He quickly canceled that spell and cast the Hear version, others did likewise.

  Zoran began hearing what Jiri was hearing at this moment. The sound of a hand slapping flesh suggested that Jiri was being beaten, especially when a moan followed almost at once. A harsh voice barked, “Tell me what you are doing in that Mage tower? Tell me!” Another loud smash followed along with a moan that was distinctly softer. Jiri was slipping into unconsciousness. “Tell me! I followed you here from Mikolas’ fortress. I saw you go in that tower. What are you doing in there? What are you hiding? Did you take something from Mikolas?” Crack. “Damn, he’s passed out. Stupid monk.” Zoran heard the sound of a chair sliding across a floor, then only silence. He canceled his spell; one by one the others did as well.

  “Damn assassin has probably got him. Beaten him unconscious already, if he’s not dead,” cursed an angry Karel, pounding his fists together. “We’ve got to rescue him!”

  “Yes, but where is he at?” Zoran asked. Everyone shook their heads.

  “Leave that to me,” Bernard said now slightly interested. “Anezka, go find me a dirty shirt or sock that he’s recently worn. I’m going to fetch the Nose. Back in a minute.” He cast a teleport spell and vanished.

  “What’s he doing?” Zoran asked, but Zdenka shrugged her shoulders. No one had any idea. Anezka left to do as Bernard had asked, while the others hastily grabbed their weapons and made ready to go after this assassin.

  A minute later, Bernard reappeared holding a small brown dog on a leash. “I’m back with the Nose. Meet Zeb, best tracking dog I’ve ever raised. I know, he’s getting a little old, but his nose is something else.” He was about to launch into one of his many tales, when Anezka returned carrying a slightly smelly shirt.

  “Ah, perfect.” Bernard held the shirt to Zeb’s nose. The dog reacted at once with a short series of high pitched barks. “Okay, he’s telling me that he’s got it. Come on. Let’s follow where Jiri went.” Bernard led the way out of the tower and into the crowded s
treets. Again, he held the shirt in front of Zeb’s nose and then commanded, “Seek Zeb. Seek.” At once, Zeb barked and began trotting down the street, his nose in a continual sniff.

  Five minutes later, they approached Zea’s Charcoal shop. However, just before the shop, Zeb stopped and turned down the alley, pulling hard on his leash. “This way, this way,” Bernard called out, although he did not need to have said a thing. It was obvious that the dog was following Jiri’s scent. Zoran speculated that here at the edge of the alley the assassin had taken Brother Jiri prisoner.

  As Jarka made the turn into the alley, following along behind as she was wont to do, she paused and picked up a tiny dart. She sniffed it. “Zoran, here. I found this dart. Got some residue on it, probably something that would subdue a person. I will analyze it when we get back to the tower.”

  On went Zeb, trotting merrily along the alleys of Brn. For a half hour, they went down one alley only to detour into another alleyway. This assassin was making it very difficult for any tracker to find him, Zoran noted, hoping the assassin had not counted on a dog. At last Zeb halted and seemed confused. He headed toward a street, back tracked and headed down the alley again, then backtracked once more.

  “What’s happening? Has he lost the scent?” Zoran asked.

  “No, it’s likely that the assassin has crossed paths with himself. Probably came this way earlier. What’s out there on the street?”

  “An inn, though not a nice one,” Jarka called out from the rear. “Probably the assassin was staying there, it’s cheap.”

  “Okay, he can’t beat Jiri up in the inn,” Bernard concluded. He convinced Zeb to continue following the trail down the alley. The dog was off once more. Five minutes later, Zeb stopped by a back door that led into some kind of warehouse. While Bernard kept his dog quiet, Jarka doubled back to see the building from the main street. She sent them a message saying she didn’t see anyone around. No lights were on inside the front and the door was locked.

  Cautiously, Zoran tried the back door. It, too, was securely locked. While they were conferring on the best way to break in without losing their element of surprise, Jarka reappeared behind them. “Move over. Let a master at it,” she coyly teased them. “Have you figured out what we’re doing once the door is opened?”

  “We rush in and cut him to pieces!” Karel growled angrily.

  “No, wait, if we do that, he might just kill Jiri,” Zoran cautioned. “Stealth. First objective: find Jiri. Once we find him, some of us stay with him and protect him while the rest of us go after this assassin. Cast Invisible and let’s fan out inside, looking for Jiri. Whoever finds him, message the rest of us.” Quickly, the seven cast their spells, and then Jarka masterfully picked the lock. Bernard decided to stay outside with his dog, just in case the assassin tried to make a hasty exit. Invisible and with his sword drawn, Bernard waited patiently in the shadows, though it looked a bit strange to see a dog on a leash being held by an invisible hand. Bernard soon realized this and cast another spell on his dog as well.

  “Ta da,” Jarka whispered her tease to the others. The door creaked a little as it opened. All seven stole inside, feeling the bodies of others who were in front of them. After all, they were invisible and couldn’t see each other either.

  In the dim light inside coming from some mica windows up front, Zoran saw boxes piled around the sides of a large space. It was a warehouse, no doubt of that. The question was: where was Jiri being held? As the seven moved about the large space, the floor boards occasionally creaked. Zoran guessed that if this assassin was any good at all, he would hear their noise and know someone was sneaking around inside.

  Minutes passed, sweat began dripping from Zoran’s forehead; the warehouse was hot and very stuffy. He realized that he was now leaving telltale drops on the floor! Where were they anyway?

  I found him. Southeast corner behind crates! I’m teleporting him to the tower! Zdenka cast her message spell to the others and prepared to cast her teleport spell. Out of the shadows a man dressed in black stepped, his right fist delivered a solid blow to her jaw, sending her flying backwards, stunned. He slipped back into the shadows. Hastily everyone rushed to the southeast corner.

  “Damn!” Zoran cursed, breaking his silence. Zdenka lay sprawled on the floor near the chair to which Brother Jiri was tied, blindfolded, and now unconscious. Although he was now quite visible and he had not yet seen the assassin, he added angrily, “If you’ve hurt her, I will personally make you pay dearly, assassin!”

  From the top of a crate a hand tossed some powder down onto Zoran. His inner senses forced his body to again dive to the right, rolling as he hit the floor. The powder, which had been intended for his eyes, blinding him, fell harmlessly to the floor where he had stood. With a pair wicked, S-shaped daggers dripping a black liquid, one in each hand, the assassin jumped down to stab him in his back. Out of position, Zoran began rolling as rapidly as he could, hoping to buy enough distance so he could get to his feet.

  Suddenly, the assassin cried out in pain; his back went stiff as a board; both daggers fell to the floor. Jarka appeared behind him, her invisibility lost because she had now attacked. Her dagger had cut deep into his back, severing his aorta. In slow motion, the assassin slowly dropped to his knees, his eyes closed. As the last bit of life pulsed from his body, he slumped forward, face down on the dirty warehouse floor. Jarka held on to her dagger, which slid out of his body as he fell forward. Jarka spat on the man, “Foul assassin, death is too good for you.”

  “Way to go, Jarka! Thanks, I was in a bit of a tight spot there,” Zoran exclaimed. “Zdenka’s been hurt.” He got up and rushed to her side. “I’ll take her; you all bring Jiri. To the tower immediately.” He cast his teleport spell and he and Zdenka disappeared.

  Karel brought Jiri with him seconds later. The twins followed on their own. Jarka, however, remained behind. First she sent a message for Bernard to join her. Then, she began to search the dead assassin. Bernard soon stood over her looking, and she hastily explained what had happened and where the others had gone. “We’re going to examine him, first. Then, we need to dispose of his body. Whatever you do, don’t touch those weird daggers; they are covered in some kind of poison.”

  Carefully, she began searching him, confiscating a number of items, including his money pouch. She found an empty vial, which she determined had contained the poison, along with two more bottles as yet unopened. Bernard commented, “You know, we ought to get rid of the poison. I mean what if some worker stumbles and falls into it and gets it on his hands or something? There are cracks in the floor boards. I’m going to conjure some water and wash the poison into the cracks. I don’t reckon it will do any harm on the dirt underneath the warehouse.”

  He cast his spell and water began flowing over the daggers. Sure enough it slowly drained beneath the cracks. Seeing that this was being successful, Jarka grinned and began dumping the other two vials of poison into the waters as well. For good measure, he cast the spell a second time, washing the area once more. “There, that ought to do it. Now what, Jarka?”

  “Well, perhaps we ought to bring his body back to the tower. Someone might recognize him, which may prove useful. If not, we have to find a way to get rid of it.”

  “Okay, I’ll do the dirty work and teleport him back. You ought to lock the back door. No sense in letting whoever owns this warehouse think that they have been robbed,” Bernard suggested.

  She grinned, “I’ll make a good thief out of you yet, Bernard.” Both chuckled at her jest. Bernard then cast his spell and he, his dog, and the dead assassin vanished. She collected up the items she had confiscated and headed back out the back door, locking it after her. A moment later, she too vanished from the alley, arriving in the main first floor meeting room of the tower.

  Zuzanna was holding an ice pack to Zdenka’s jaw. Everyone else was tending to Jiri, when Jarka arrived with the assassin’s things. “How are they both doing?” she asked.

  “Oh, my jaw
hurts, but I’m okay,” Zdenka said, though it hurt to even talk this much.

  “Brother Jiri has taken a bad beating, but no bones are broken. I think he’ll be alright too, but probably plenty sore for days,” Zoran answered her. Leaving him to his wife, Zoran now turned to the dead assassin. He stared long at the man’s face. “I’ve seen him before. I think that he is or was one of Baron’s Kazimir’s spies. Well, he won’t be telling him about us that’s for sure. How are we going to get rid of the body?”

  “I’ll take care of it,” the soft voice of Archmage Nadia startled them. She had silently entered the room. “You have not yet gotten to the perfect spell to vanish a body: move it to a position on the surface of the sun, where it will vaporize instantly. Fitting end for a foul assassin, don’t you think?” She grinned. Zoran realized that the Archmage was still more powerful than any of her apprentices. Quiet yes, powerful, even more so. A minute later the body vanished from her tower. No one saw his body materialize just above the sun’s surface and disintegrate within a split second.

  “It looks like the Baron has sent spies into Sholov Province ahead of his attack. One must have seen Brother Jiri leaving and followed him overland. When he entered the tower here, for a time, he was out of his reach. Patient assassin, I’ll give him that,” Zoran concluded.

  “What if during his stay here, he sent back messages to the Baron, telling that Brother Jiri came here and was staying in the Archmage’s tower,” Jarka asked, hinting at something far sinister. “Suppose that now there are other assassins and spies of the Baron’s around Brn? Suppose that more are on their way here, perhaps sent by the Baron to check on what Brother Jiri is doing here?”